A Karim Benzema double helped Olympique Lyon earn a 3-1 win at Olympique Marseille that gave Girondins Bordeaux a three-point lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table on Sunday.

The France forward struck twice in the first half for the
visiting side, once from the penalty spot.

Marseille pushed after the interval but they could only
reduce the gap to one goal through substitute Sylvain Wiltord 10
minutes from time before a Juninho free kick sealed Lyon's
victory in stoppage time.

Bordeaux, who were last crowned champions 10 years ago, are
on 74 points with two games left after they extended their
winning streak in the league to nine games with a 3-2 home
victory against Le Mans on Saturday.

Marseille trail the leaders by three points while Lyon are
four points further behind and cannot win the Ligue 1 title for
an eighth year in a row.

The outgoing champions tightened their grip on the last
Champions League qualifying spot though as fourth-placed Paris
St Germain, on 63 points, were defeated 2-1 at home by Auxerre
on Saturday.

"We had a great performance tonight and it was important as
we really want to qualify for the Champions League," Benzema
told Canal Plus.

The Lyon striker converted from the spot at the half hour
after Ederson was brought down in the area by fellow Brazilian
Brandao.

He then made it 2-0 just before the break after collecting a
defence-splitting pass from Jeremy Toulalan.

Marseille dominated throughout the first half but wasted
many chances.

Senegalese striker Mamadou Niang hit the post with a
powerful right-footed shot from just outside the area in the
16th minute before Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made two saves in
a few seconds two minutes later.

Lloris first deflected a Mathieu Valbuena attempt and then
stopped a feeble Brandao header.

A Benoit Cheyrou's shot also bounced off the post before the
interval.

Marseille complained the referee was wrong not to whistle
two penalties early in the second half when Niang twice fell
down in the area after charges from Lyon defender Anthony
Reveillere.

The Provence side kept on pushing but could only score once
when Wiltord tapped in a Niang cross.

Juninho then put the result beyond doubt with a trademark
freekick.

Nantes' hopes of escaping relegation from Ligue 1 suffered
another blow when they were held 1-1 at home by Stade Rennes
earlier on Sunday.

The promoted side, who have won only one of their last 14
games, remained second from bottom on 34 points, three points
from safety.

Rennes are seventh on 58 points, behind Lille on goal
difference after the northern side also drew 1-1 at home to
ninth-placed Nice.